Dozens of bands, 100+ shows, and four days of music in the best downtown venues all for the low, low price of $0 — that’s right, Austin, it’s free week.

The annual event — which began at Emo’s Austin in 2003 — takes place on the first weekend of January every year. And this year, it’s quite the lineup.

Here’s our guide to a weekend of musical madness, including COVID-19 safety protocols. Note: As of Tuesday evening, Austin was approaching Stage 5 public health guidelines. Please keep in mind that these events may be subject to change or cancellation.

Who’s playing

Although mostly local, the bands playing this free week hail from across the country + world and span several genres. Here are the shows we recommend, based on various types of music:

Pop

KVN | Mohawk Austin, Thurs., Jan. 6, 7 p.m.

This high-energy indie-pop group of three Austin women will also play at Stubb’s on Friday.

Also try: Rich Aucoin, Foxtales

Soul + R&B

Kalu & The Electric Joint | Empire Control Room & Garage, Thurs., Jan. 6, 7:30 p.m.

Lauded as a beautiful blend of West African and American funk music, this Austin band is a must-see this weekend.

Also try: Melat, Superfonicos

Electronic

Cloudchord | Swan Dive, Thurs., Jan. 6, 7 p.m.

Multi-hyphenate and Emmy-winning guitarist Derek VanScoten gives Cloudchord its signature atmospheric + psychedelic sound.

Also try: Primo the Alien

Hip Hop + Rap

Blackillac | Mohawk Austin, Fri., Jan. 7, 8 p.m.

This duo won the Austin Music Awards’ Best Hip Hop/Rap category in 2020, worked with Austin native and Grammy award-winning Gary Clark Jr. + has performed at several festivals, including ACL Music Festival.

Also try: Magna Carda

Rock

Bright Light Social Hour | Empire Control Room & Garage, Fri., Jan. 7, 7 p.m.

Austin-based Bright Light Social Hour’s music combines bluesy sounds with dancey beats.

Also try: Los Skarnales

Alternative

Night Cap | Empire Control Room, Sat., Jan. 8, 8 p.m.

Indie band Night Cap was founded by students at The University of Texas.

Also try: Darkbird, Under the Rug

Metal

Unsane | Mohawk Austin, Sat., Jan. 8, 8 p.m.

The New York trio has been making noise rock for more than three decades now. (Pro tip: Austin-based metal band Glassing will also perform at this show.)

Also try: Duel

Genre-bending

TWRP | Empire Control Room & Garage, Sat., Jan. 8, 8 p.m.

Self-described as “the sound of the future as imagined in the 1980s,” TWRP’s music is an eclectic mix of funk, rock, and electronic sounds.

Also try: Calliope Musicals

Safety guidelines

Travis County is currently under Stage 4 public health guidelines due to the spread of the COVID-19 omicron variant. The city recommends:

Vaccinated people wear a mask in all indoor + outdoor gatherings, regardless of their status as low-risk or high-risk individuals
Unvaccinated people refrain from indoor or outdoor gatherings with people outside of their household, and only travel or shop if essential.

Empire Control Room and Mohawk Austin will require proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within the last 72 hours.

Masks are required indoors at Mohawk when not eating or drinking, and will also be “strongly encouraged” at Empire Control Room.